Physical activity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): specific recommendations for home-based physical training

TLDR

The COVID‑19 pandemic has disrupted global physical activity patterns, forcing widespread home confinement and prompting WHO to recommend daily moderate‑to‑vigorous exercise and weekly strength training for all age groups. This commentary offers practical guidance for home‑based physical activity for sedentary individuals across all ages during COVID‑19 or similar outbreaks. The authors propose aerobic exercise on a bike or rowing ergometer, body‑weight training, dance, and active video gaming as home‑based strategies to mitigate the physical and mental side‑effects of pandemic restrictions.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) seems to be having a major impact on physical activity behaviours globally. The pandemic has forced many people around the world to stay at home and self-isolate for a period of time. WHO recommends 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for 6–17-yr-olds, and 75 min/wk of vigorous or 150 min/wk of moderate physical activity for adults and elderly, including 3 and 2 days/wk, respectively, with muscle and bone strengthening. Practical recommendations for staying active at home, with aerobic exercise training on a bike or rowing ergometer, bodyweight training, dance and active video gaming, can aid to counteract the detrimental physical and mental side-effects of the COVID-19 protective lifestyle regulations. This commentary provides useful information on home-based physical activity for sedentary people across the lifespan, including children and adolescence, that can be undertaken during the present pandemic or other outbreaks of infectious disease.